Wednesday, March 19, 2008 MMDA vows to enforce EO 712 despite opposition
DESPITE the opposition of several local government units (LGUs), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the implementation of the single traffic ticketing system commonly known as the Metro Traffic Ticketing (MTT) would be in place within 15 days.
"We're still waiting for Executive Order (EO) 712 to become effective within that period of 15 days and get published, then will implement it," MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando said.
Fernando said the EO, which mandated the implementation of the unified ticketing system in Metro Manila and the establishment of a data and enforcement systems link-up with the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), was a lawful directive that all LGUs must heed.
"Any driver can sue them (referring to the Metro Manila mayors opposed to the scheme) if they don't follow the executive order. We're also prepared to sue if they don't obey the order," he said.
He added that opposition to the scheme had started to weaken.
"I think there are only three cities as of now that still opposing the plan," he said, noting that some cities like Manila are previously opposed to the traffic scheme.
The cities that remain not in favor of the order are Makati, Pasay, and Navotas, Fernando said.
At present, Metro Manila local governments issue different traffic citation tickets and impose varying fines. The MTT seeks to make uniform the system of issuing tickets and paying fines in Metro Manila.
Contrary to the statement of Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Fernando said the MMDA has the power to implement a single ticketing system as provided for under the law that created the agency.
He said it was the MMDA charter that superseded the Local Government Code (LGC), not the other way around.
Binay insisted that the LGC gave the sole power of enforcing traffic policies to cities and towns, and that the MMDA had neither legislative nor police powers.
But Fernando noted that the MMDA charter took effect in 1995, three years after the LGC did. This means that the "Congress took back the power of local governments" to enforce traffic laws.
He said the implementation of the single ticketing scheme could cause plenty of confusion among motorists considering the refusal of some cities to comply.
Fernando said he would call another meeting with mayors next week in another attempt to convince them that a single ticketing scheme would be for the best. (AH/Sunnex)
